Effects of comicronised fenofibrate on lipid and insulin sensitivity in patients with polymetabolic syndrome X.

BACKGROUND

This study investigated the effects of comicronised fenofibrate in patients with dyslipidemia and polymetabolic syndrome X.

DESIGN

After a 6-week dietary run-in phase, 37 male patients eligible on lipid criteria entered a 12-week treatment phase consisting of diet plus one capsule daily containing 200 mg of comicronised fenofibrate (Lipanthyl(R)).

RESULTS

A significant reduction in plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride was observed after 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment with fenofibrate. The improvement in the atherogenic index LDL/HDL cholesterol from a pretreatment 3.8 to 3.0 after treatment was highly statistically significant and may be judged as satisfactory. Significant changes were also observed in haemostatic factors (fibrinogen reduced by 19%, factor VII activity reduced by 18%). Fasting serum insulin levels and insulin response (area under the curve) after oral glucose load were significantly reduced by 26.8% and 18.7%, respectively, indicating an improvement of insulin sensitivity. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly reduced. Uric acid was significantly reduced by 21.6%.

CONCLUSION

These favourable effects of comicronised fenofibrate both on lipid and non lipid parameters, including insulin sensitivity, may confer to this product a particular interest in the treatment of patients with polymetabolic syndrome X.